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DETROIT (WOOD) — Thursday night, Detroit Red Wings fans found out what West Michigan has known since Bob Kaser started calling games for the Grand Rapids Griffins: that he’s one of the best in the business.

Kaser has been the “Voice of the Griffins” since 2000. Thursday’s game at Joe Louis Arena between the Wings and the Vancouver Canucks was his first time calling for the NHL. He filled in for Wings play-by-play man Ken Kal, who was ill.

Kszer said he was “thrilled beyond words” to get the chance to live out a lifelong dream.

“Over the years … I have hugged so many players and shaken hands with so many players that are off to … make their debuts in the National Hockey League. And now I know what that’s like,” he said. “I still approach this for what it is. It’s not an audition. It’s an opportunity to fill in for one of the Detroit hockey broadcast legends here in the Motor City in Ken Kal. So I’m thrilled beyond words. I don’t know what to else say. I’m a guy with limited vocabulary, and even if I had a large vocabulary, I’m not sure I’d be able to describe the feeling.”